Sitting with the Guild Team at NYFW A/W 2019: Exclusive Access to the CAAFD Collective

During this past NYFW A/W 2019, we had exclusive access to the Council of Aspiring American Fashion Designers (CAAFD) fashion shows for emerging designers. For these shows, we interviewed designers Hakuyo Miya of Mouton Blanc, Imogen Evans of iMi, and Ruth Zabetta.

Hakuyo Miya studied at the Atelier Chardon Savard in Paris. For his third NYFW runway show with the CAAFD, Miya showcased a collection featuring elements with fiery designs which combined texture, colors, and culture. The collection was both elegant and artistic, featuring details that went from classic cuts to surprisingly modern patterns.

When discussing this collection compared to his last one, Miya told us: “The theme for this collection is “le crépuscule” (dusk, or twilight); the moment between day and night. It is a very mysterious moment; a moment that is very dear to me. Sometimes, I work all night long and there I feel something very special. I really like it.”

When discussing what he is working on next, Miya said, “it is not decided yet, but of course I will keep creating, as beautifully as I can. It is very good to be able to do a collective showcase here in New York City, but for my next step, I would love to organize my own show.”

Before the shows, we also spoke with Imogen Evans. The designer, originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, studied in Milan and this was her first time showcasing in NYFW. The stories of sexual assault survivors inspired Evans, and she delivered a collection that was both artistic and thought-provoking.

Ruth Zabetta closed the shows in style, with a collection inspired by New York City and its buildings. Showcasing a selection of elegant cocktail outfits, and eveningwear, the collection was strong, with meticulous attention to tailoring. This collection by Zabetta, who was born in New York City but raised both in Spain and the Dominican Republic, is a more avant-garde route for the designer, whose last collection drew inspiration from the scenery of the tropics.

To learn more about the designers, and see the behind-the-scenes footage of the fantastic team behind the magic that is NYFW, see the videos below. – GM